The Toronto Raptors are among the best teams in the bubble so far, but they’ll have their hands full against the Boston Celtics, who lead the season series, 2-1.

HOME TEAM: Toronto Raptors (49-18, 24-9 at home)

The Raptors are now 3-0 in the bubble, and they have won seven in a row including games from the pre-COVID-19 shutdown. That top-ranked defense is also in display as they have held two of their three previous bubble opponents under 100 points.

As the defending champs look to end the season series in a tie, look for Pascal Siakam (23.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.4 APG) to be the team’s top weapon. He should come out with a ton of energy too as he has missed the last two match-ups against the Celtics. He netted 33 points in his lone meeting with the Cs.

The guard play will remain to as a force. The facilitating duo of Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet have been shining in the bubble – both have had 30-plus point performances, as well as 20-10 double-doubles via points and assists.

ROAD TEAM: Boston Celtics (45-23, 20-14 on the road)

The Celtics are struggling to establish rhythm in the bubble. They are currently 2-2 since the restart, splitting wins and losses each time.

Tomorrow will be another chance to do so, though. They are coming off a 145-113 rout over the Brooklyn Nets, the franchise’s highest scoring output since 1992.

Also, as mentioned, the Celtics have won two of their three games versus the Raptors on the year, so there’s a certain confidence in there.

The usual trio of suspects will be leading Boston’s road to winning the season series… with maybe a little doubt on one. While Kemba Walker (24.7 PPG) and Jaylen Brown (24 PPG) are producing as expected in the meetings, Jayson Tatum won’t even pass for “mediocre.” He’s a combined 8-for-25 from the floor with nine turnovers in his last two battles opposite Toronto, averaging just 11.5 points per game

PREDICTIONS:

Both squads are very capable on both ends of the floor. We should witness a great back-and-forth. Look for Siakam and Lowry to keep leading the Raptors offense, and for the Celtics’ Tatum-Walker-Brown trio to provide the counter.

In the end, the Raps should be able to get this W, 110-104. They’ve been playing great basketball and you can’t go against that momentum.